INSPIRATION AND ADVICE

STYLE EVOLUTION: JADEN SMITH

By Sam Higgins, 8 July 2017

Most 19-year-olds aren't as sartorially proficient as Jaden Smith. He could thank (what we imagine to be) a sizeable wardrobe, but the actor-cum-rapper-cum-creative has also been busy pioneering androgynous style, pushing fashion's boundaries and adding idiosyncrasy to every look. To mark his 19th birthday, we’ve taken a look at how the Fresh Prince Jr grew from karate kid to stylish misfit.

Picture: Rex

It’s easy to forget that Jaden Smith wasn’t always the style icon we see today. As with any teenager, there was plenty of shifting in and out of subcultures for the young Fresh Prince before he eventually found his signature style. There was evidence of his future experimental edge here already, though, and we're not just talking about that questionable cropped, checkerboard-printed hoodie. Note how his white tee and black jeans were joined by mismatched trainers. Keep tabs on that eccentric styling for later…

Picture: Rex

Even the most adventurous dressers have to start with the basics – by nailing monochrome, for example. Here, Jaden bossed an all-black getup by experimenting with new silhouettes that brought an added edge to his monotone 'fit. His kimono-style jacket, for example, draped over his tee and skinny joggers of the same hue, adds an interesting touch to an otherwise fail-safe 'fit.

Picture: Getty

As far as OOTD introductions go, they don’t get much better than this. Instead of playing things safe, Jaden burst onto our style radar with a masterpiece consisting of a military shacket layered over a black jacket, layered over a Trish Stratus tee, layered over a long-sleeved faded tee. His instinct to keep any complementing elements simple and monochrome only added to the impressiveness.

Picture: Photoshot

A truly stylish dresser can tackle any occasion. Especially one who, when dressing for a flight, disregards the usual cosy comfies and goes, 'You know what? A trip to the airport is the perfect opportunity to peacock some of my best pieces.' So, based on the three layers that were tactically slotted under this custom, fleece-lined, oversized denim jacket, Jaden is evidently a truly stylish dresser.

Picture: Xposure

Jaden's style doesn't just rely on bold prints and eccentric layering – it's all about the subtle styling tweaks, too. Take this, for example – safe in the knowledge his camo key piece (the Yeezy Season 2 invitation) was enough to turn heads, he simply tucked the long-sleeved tee into his skinny trousers to neaten up the silhouette and make the print stand out.

Picture: Xposure

Another day, another strong, trend-led display from Jaden. It's started getting all too easy for him at this point. This time, having a dance to Calvin Harris at Wireless Festival, he showcased some strong double-tee action, layering a slouchy, washed-black top over his long-sleeved, red, Palace tee. A hat perched atop his dreads was all that was needed to complete his kit.

Picture: FlyNet

Then came Jaden’s love of prints – the more the better. We’d seen him clash his patterned pieces expertly in the past, but Smith took to customising his own stuff – specifically, his denim – last year, delivering a bold collection of prints via oversized graphic tees, skinny jeans and colourfully detailed trainers.

Picture: BACKGRID

And so to 2017's skater Jaden. This year, he's moved away from the longline cuts, toned down his prints and brought in a more minimalist skate influence, curating more mature getups in the process. Here, he's paired an oversized, white, printed tee with some illustrated chinos, before tucking in his top for a interesting play on proportions. Finally, he complemented the pairing with some mismatched trainers once again. His vibe may have evolved, but Jaden's style is innate.